Tag Archives: Thoughts Dreams & Prayers

This week the mainstream media has run stories from around the world of atrocities that have been going on for some time, but some of them are starting to get the international attention they deserve. Many of you will have read and seen the graphic images of Christians being beheaded, raped, slaughtered, and driven out of their homes in Iraq. And I’m sure I don’t need to give you the details of the situation in the Middle East – you can google it and wade your way through the mountain of opinion and articles. I can’t make sense of it myself.

Every day I read of causes and campaigns that we can give to, which may relieve pockets of the suffering for some, but the systemic issues remain unresolved and we can feel like our efforts were so temporary. One heartless dictator falls, another rises, sometimes far worse, to take his place. Girls are rescued from sex trafficking, but others are moved in to take their place. And sometimes projects are successful, with local people empowered and equipped to change their own communities -stories of hope, of courage, and of overcoming. I love it when that happens!

Then there’s social media giving us the ability to become aware of what is happening in other parts of the world as its happening. Still, the stories that don’t often make it to the mainstream news are the ones we’ve seen many times before: the monsoons in South East Asia; the overcrowded refugee camps with a sea of despairing faces; the fighting in the Middle East – unless of course there’s a new twist or a massive number of casualties that we simply can’t ignore, and then it might make the news.

So where does that awareness lead us to? Once we spend a day or two outraged, expressing opinions and taking sides in wars, and perhaps throw up a quick prayer, what action has really been taken to truly get involved and bringing the incredible love of the Father into communities, people groups, and nations? Awareness should lead us somewhere, right? If not our own hands and feet sent to those in need of a touch of heaven, then surely set to task with what we can actually do?

Awareness without action is quite simply apathy, and I believe it’s the greatest challenge we presently have in the Church. It keeps us from sharing the eternally life-changing message of the gospel with our loved ones; it holds us captive from discovering what our greatest purpose and destiny for our short time on earth; it spreads and strengthens its grip using religious language, unhelpful man-made traditions, and just plain ol’ self-interest taking the front seat.

Apathy is a lack of interest or concern, and it’s a war to wage amongst ourselves. It’s a war I have to wage within myself as well. I wish that wasn’t the truth, but it is. I also think that apathy can rise from a place of feeling powerless and overwhelmed, and also not knowing just how incredible Jesus can actually be in each of us. What to do about apathy? I’ll get to that in a sec. But first, let me give you a personal story of apathy.

I haven’t been entirely just warming a church pew for my 20-something years as a Christian.

Honestly, I’ve given to tons of charities and individuals, to everything from work with orphans, emergency relief, evangelism, everything. I’ve fundraised countless times for others going overseas, as well as myself. I’ve given like a mad-woman at times, even when it has meant my own discomfort, inconvenience, hunger, unpaid rent, and holey clothes!

I’ve signed petitions, sent letters to Members of Parliament, stood collecting on the street and gone door-to-door, volunteered for everything from stuffing thousands of envelopes, fed the homeless, helped drunk teens, prayer walked all over the world, and helped prepare rice meals to be sent overseas (that one was fun).

I can give you first-hand stories of poverty and injustice that I’ve seen with my own eyes – drugged babies by their begging mothers to make them appear more desperate in India; a woman washing a few metres away from a man squatting in the same trench in Mumbai; orphaned/abandoned children on the streets in the Middle East; the crumbled remains of a war zone in Cyprus, ‘no man’s land’, accompanied by the stories of relatives still mourning the loss of their missing ones… OK, I’ll stop there, you get my drift.

But here’s the thing… one day I can weep over what I see or read, telling myself that I’m going to do something, then the next I’m absorbed with planning my children’s birthday party with cute decorations and fun-shaped food, or complaining about the hot water running out once my kids have drained it dry. Or that they won’t eat their vegetables.

I want to change the world one day, and then the next my brain is back to being numb and consumed with the issues of life again. I, along with plenty of others, frequently switch off to the images of war, disease, injustice, and dire poverty, many times because it’s uncomfortable; because if we chose to feel, we might have to do something. We might actually have to do something inconvenient, time consuming, expensive, or life-changing.

I’m a mix of being exhausted, tired of caring about everything and everyone, apathetic, overwhelmed… but also compassionate, intentional, deeply caring, and extremely passionate about seeing nations transformed. I’m a big mess. 🙂

Even with some ‘missions streams’ running through the course of my life, I still struggle to overcome this giant called apathy. So I’m not on a high horse telling you here to care like I do. I really do struggle to know how to live in that place of tension – where I enjoy the life God’s given me, yet also participate in bringing God’s Kingdom to earth.

I can’t remember the name of this city in India. But I do remember there being a dead body in the middle of a roundabout that had been there for days. Crazy huh?

So again, what to do about apathy?

I believe apathy is displaced by a personal and profound revelation of the Father’s absolutely over-awed incredible plan for your life. When you know who you are, and who Jesus wants to be to you and through you, you can’t help but be propelled into action. Apathy is displaced by love. The kind of love that looks like something. The more time I spend with Jesus, the more uncomfortable I become with being a spectator.

So consider this: do something different today than what you usually do. Have a different thought. Ponder the possibilities. Seek the Lord and find out what he’s saying about who you are. Discover your truest identity, and dream big with how you can be used to change the world. And that’s not supposed to be a cliché… you actually can change the world for someone. Every single life is worth enough for Jesus to die for – so every life is worth touching with the power of love that is found in Him, be it outside your own door, or further afield in the world.

Is there a nation on your heart? A cause? Human trafficking? Humanitarian and emergency assistance? Foster care? Orphans? Shifting atmospheres in prayer? Are you a pioneer at heart, or a much-needed partner to follow another’s leading? What are you natural and learned skills? Jesus is interceding at the right-hand of the Father for you – what’s He praying over you?

Friends, I haven’t yet worked out how to live from a place of perfect peace and joy (the abiding atmosphere of heaven), as well as allowing my heart to bear the burdens of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Or how to be truly moved by compassion without it knocking me off my feet, and I lose joy as my natural state of being. If you have, tell me here. 🙂

But I’m sure committed to finding out how to be less manic and fickle, and more consistently committed to living out the life that I’m here on earth for. I don’t want to cope with the enormity of the task by flicking a switch off in my heart, as I believe there’s a better way. I’m searching to find it through allowing God’s heart to increase in capacity within my own – lest apathy takes hold of me and keeps me from pursuing the extraordinary life that is mine to live. God help me from becoming indifferent.

The task of bringing the Kingdom to earth is indeed overwhelming, because it’s not meant to be undertaken by only a few. It takes us all.

Join me?

~ Victoria

I’ve recently had the opportunity to write for my friend Jacque at ‘Whole Family Strong’. I instantly connected to Jacque’s worldview when I first started reading her site. She has a heart for simple and intentional living, and for living out wellness and wholeness faithfully as a family (make sure you check out her paleo recipes). I love how Jacque wants to see other families living in fullness also – her website displays these words ‘Spiritually Strong, Physically Strong, Family Strong’.

EMBRACING THE SEASON

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every
activity under the heavens”. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Life is full of seasons and rhythms, and ebbs and flows.

“There are seasons of waiting, of action, of preparation, of joy, of visible ministry, and of quiet and unnoticed acts of service. And then there is time of the faithful, and (immediately) unrewarded ministry in the home. Every season provides opportunity to grow and mature, and every season has a purpose to walk into a greater understanding and revelation of the character and nature of our Creator.”…

2013 was quite a memorable year. We started the year with a few days holidaying with dear friends, and felt relaxed and full of hope for what lay ahead. My word for the year: 2013 the year of joy. I had my joy dares in hand, ready and eager to chronicle our joy gifts from the Father.

I quote this again, as it continues to speak life to my soul:

Joy is who God is. Joy is the abiding atmosphere of heaven. Joy is the expression of the kingdom here on earth. And therefore joy is an environment that we should be creating as a community and inhabiting on a personal level – in our homes, in our places of work, we can make those places like heaven. – Graham Cooke

Early February my precious family was hit with illness, husband included, and we negotiated our way through this for many months. There were some scary nights in there, where I wondered if my children were going to take their next breath. Those of you who’ve been through something similar know that it’s simply indescribable.

After this, I felt like I was running on a deficit for the remainder of the year, and still am to some extent. Life continued to bring what it does for many, and didn’t wait for me to be ready – financial challenges, health challenges, relationship challenges, heart challenges.

Maintaining my place of joy became much more difficult than I could have ever anticipated.

But through it all, there were so many beautiful, wonderful, hope-filled, incredible moments.

There were lots of firsts for my youngest child, and even with our third, they are no less special and worthy of celebrating.

There were treasured moments with each of my children, where my eyes were opened to see more of who they are created to be. Precious. I love being at home with them.

There were some really enjoyable learning times, and crazy fun-filled moments in our homeschooling.

There was authentic connection with heaven, with the Father’s grace and mercy, and with the soft and loving sound of His voice.

There were those moments with my husband, where we sat looking at each other, completely spent, sometimes in utter disbelief at the most recent wave of challenge, but unspoken love passed between our eyes, as did the firm resolve to never give up on ‘us’. We have been shaken, but our love runs deeper than ever.

There was one incredible friendship that shone brighter than my worst days, and remains one of the most treasured gifts that I’ve ever received from heaven. I’m still floored that I’d be worthy of such a tender-hearted, giving, sweet, loving, beautiful friend.

So although the ‘joy journaling’ faded as the year wore on, the overall purpose did not die completely, as today I can remember with thankful heart some ‘big’ joy gifts. I am blessed.

I have little expectation of what might happen in our circumstances. But I know the Father is already there, and His grace will be sufficient for whatever we will face, whether it be abundant and overflowing, or challenging.

The joy journaling is back at the fore, and once again I have my joy dares printed and ready to go.

Can I encourage you to read my simple and short post on Journaling Joy Gifts, in the hope that you will feel inspired to join the community of joy-seekers?

Be blessed. And thankful!

Victoria

[You may also like to visit ‘A Holy Experience’ and read Ann’s Grace Plan for 2014].

My friends with The Old Schoolhouse Review Crew are also writing on ‘Looking Back at 2013’ this week. Have a read of some of their posts and be encouraged [Live on 8th January].

There are natural seasons and cycles, and I also believe there are seasons to our lives.

After a prolonged period of what has felt like the longest ‘winter’, our family finds a new season approaching. It’s something we’ve felt in the last few weeks, as the winds of change blow into our family.

As I’ve contemplated our ‘word’ for this coming year over the last week, quite independent of one another my husband and I both had exactly the same word: Spring.

Here’s what ‘Spring’ means for us:

New life

Renewed vision

Restoration of hope

Spring is a time of warmth, and of buds and blossoms giving the promise of fruit within their beauty. It’s a time of growth and a bustle of activity within nature – but in the midst of all the activity, there’s no striving or stress. No-one tells the bees to collect pollen or the grass to grow.

For us, this means that we are going to enjoy the journey, and God’s promises unfolding in our lives without striving to obtain something that is already freely given. If we find ourselves striving or stressing, then we’ve left the place of peace and it’s up to us to return and remain in His abiding presence.

A good friend of ours passed this onto us a couple of weeks ago, and it seems fitting to include it here.

Song of Solomon 2

My beloved spoke and said to me,

“Arise, my darling,

my beautiful one, come with me.

See! The winter is past;

the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth;

the season of singing has come,

the cooing of doves

is heard in our land.

The fig tree forms its early fruit;

the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.

Arise, come, my darling;

my beautiful one, come with me.”

A beautiful invitation to join with the One who delights in us.

Friends, I pray that your eyes will be enlightened to know the hope to which you are called*, and that you will see something on the horizon that will ignite hope in your heart.

Do you have a word for 2014?

Victoria

Have a read of some of what my Crew friends are seeing for 2014 (this link will go live on 1 January).

It’s been quite an intense October around here, particularly the last two weeks, as I’ve felt each day has bought another wave of challenges to negotiate my way through.

It’s nothing that most of you haven’t dealt with recently I’m sure: difficult financial decisions to make; double cancer news in extended family; daily challenges with the children and trying to remain consistent and loving; children’s sickness as well as my own; etc. My late father’s birthday passed last week, and I contemplated the loss of his life; and three years on, I still feel a deep grief that doesn’t fade with time.

The challenges and struggles that friends have been facing have weighed upon me as I’ve felt powerless to do anything to ease their suffering. I’ve wanted to jump into rescue mode, but see that all I can do is love, encourage and strengthen as much as I have grace to do so.

I’m not overwhelmed, but I’ve felt the heaviness on my heart, and an opportunity to get into the quiet where I can re-energise has been beyond reach.

I share all this with you, not to pour out my struggles but I want to share how my heart responds when I get to the point of…. enough.

Here’s the way through that I see:

There’s the revelation that my circumstances do not control me. But that I can experience God in them. I have an opportunity to move into a greater understanding and revelation of His character and nature, and deepen my heart-to-heart connection with Him.

There’s the invitation to worship the Father, to gaze upon who He is, and await the evidence of His victory in my life.

There’s the reminder that I am to think of the interests of others, constantly bringing them before His throne of mercy. It’s freely giving what I have freely received.

When I find myself flooded with thoughts of negativity towards myself, I’ve usually spent too much time thinking of me, and not enough looking outside myself. Where should I be serving/praying/loving/giving?

There’s the truth of His word, that ‘His grace is sufficient and His power made perfect in my weakness’. It’s true. And I need to meditate on it until it renews my mind!

I am so deeply thankful for my life and all that it’s filled with. It’s such a good habit to get into to intentionally give thanks daily.

I watched this tonight (see below) and found myself come alive with the possibilities that the Lord may have for my life and for those around me. It reminds me that there’s a wider purpose that we can all participate in that’s beyond our current realm of understanding. I may not go to Africa like Heidi. But I’m called to love and change the atmosphere around me, bringing heaven to earth, and respond to His pursuit of love towards me.

I love this one from Graham Cooke”

“In all the places where something is against you, you get to discover the power of what is within you. You can change the atmosphere. You can create a different environment just by letting loose your own internal agreement with the Holy Spirit and releasing your expectation of God”

Life is such an incredible gift. I know the handful of things He’s asking me to be faithful with today. I’m not too sure about tomorrow yet. But I know He’s already there, and He’s already considered every possibility, overcome every obstacle, and created a way for me to partner with Him in victory.

I read this recently and wanted to share with you. I hope it blesses you also.

“Parenting is your primary calling. Parenting will mean that you can’t do all the things that you could otherwise do. It will affect your golf handicap. It may mean your home does not look like a picture from Better Home and Gardens. It will impact your career and ascent on the corporate ladder. It will alter the kind of ministry you are able to pursue. It will modify the amount of time you have for bowling, hunting, television, or how many books you will read. It will mean that you can’t develop every interest that comes along. The costs are high.

How can you measure the cost against the benefits? I have spent time with broken parents. I have seen the drawn faces of parents who have known the heartbreak of seeing their children fleeing a home in which they had not been understood or engaged by their parents. I have also known the joy of hearing children who have been biblically engaged by their parents say, ‘Dad, I am amazed at how thoroughly I have been prepared for life. I will always be grateful for what you and Mom have given me’. What price tag can a parent place on that?

God calls you to invest yourself in this way with your children. This kind of communication is not just beneficial, it is mandated! It is the path of blessing because it is the path of obedience. Is this kind of communication expensive? Yes! But the benefits far exceed the cost.”

As we learn to abide in Christ and practice His presence, something amazing happens within us; something that lifts the confusing fog of decision-making and makes our path clear. We develop a holy instinct. Our spiritual ears become tuned to the whisper of God’s Spirit. Our spiritual eyes become open to His fingerprints of direction upon our life.
Have you ever heard someone say, “When you meet the love of your life, you just know?” That’s the way a holy instinct works. The more we abide in Christ, the less we have to wonder what specific steps He wants us to take in life…we just know.

Gaining a holy instinct toward Christ is similar to cultivating intimacy in marriage. As we spend time in His presence, as we submit to His rule over each area of our life, as we get to know His nature and character, we begin to truly know Him. And the more we know Him, the less we have to ask the question, “Lord, what should I do in this situation?” – because we instinctively know what He would have us do.

As I abide in Christ, I learn to recognize the soft guiding voice of His Spirit within me. I feel Him pointing out people who need my sensitivity. I feel His prick of caution when I begin to head down the wrong path. I feel His sorrow when I make a choice that grieves Him. I know my God, and therefore, I know His voice.

Of course, there are still plenty of times when I ask God specific questions. “Lord, what should I write in this chapter of the book?” or “Lord, what is the answer to this particular challenge?”

There are times when I feel that He gives me direct answers to these questions. But it is all too easy to get caught up in seeking answers rather than in simply seeking Him. So when I need to make a decision and no answers seem to be coming my way, I take my focus off of “solving the problem” and simply spend time in the presence of my King. And inevitably, as I focus on Him, the answers become clear.

I’m asking some of those ‘big’ questions at the moment; you know, those ones we all ask at some stage in our journey of faith. Will you come through for us Lord? I feel more fearful than faithful – will you still answer me? I haven’t gotten it all right – will your grace still be sufficient in my weakness… and my mistakes?

The last few weeks have been a financial stretch for us. We’ve negotiated some unexpected expenses which have come in during a busy time of the year for our family. There are some things we’ve exceeded our budget in, and others that are simply the pressure of living on one income in a double-income economy.

I’ve tried to keep trusting in God to provide all that we need to live in abundance. It was my hope that He wouldn’t leave us high and dry. I’m still hoping that. My heart has been a little heavy as we haven’t been able to provide for our children in quite the way that our hearts desire to. I’m not ungrateful for what we have, and I feel blessed to be raising and homeschooling our children – even on those more challenging days in our household. 😉

I don’t have the theology thoroughly worked out as to why there is lack in our lives at present. There are plenty of gifted theologians that have debated these issues regarding the level and nature of God’s involvement in mankind for centuries, and they are still not in agreement. I’m quite sure there are others more qualified than me to discuss such things. At present, I don’t want my head spinning in circles trying to work it all out. In saying that however, I do know if I seek him for wisdom He will give it to me. I’m asking Him to lead me through this time so my heart has enough understanding according to what He has determined, and that I grow closer to Him in the process.

What I do know is that I’m responsible for my own heart response. The undeniable truth is that the Father is always good. Always. He is unchanging, sovereign, perfect and lacking in nothing. I can trust His nature and character.

So during these uncomfortable times where discouragement is attempting to take root, what must we do until such time that our circumstances change?

I see an opportunity to trust greater, to grow deeper, and to love faithfully. I find myself counting my blessings, of which there are many. I hear the invitation to always give thanks, and to do so with a cheerful heart. I still feel convinced and unwavering that at all times we should give generously. I will trust His word no matter what.

The story remains unfinished. So while I await evidence of His hand on our lives in this area of provision, I will trust Him and stay true to what I know He is asking of me while our circumstances remain as they are.

…knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.… (James 1:3-5)

Aside from the obvious time that social media takes from your life, and how that may potentially affect your family, there is other fruit that I have been challenged to inspect in my life.

Can I ask you some of these things I have also been asking myself?

How do the words and interactions in these outlets produce life and wholeness? Do they propel you further into knowing Christ more intimately and making Him known?

Do you find you are engaging in idle talk, gossip, and wasteful words, even if it is subtle?

Does constantly tracking your blog followers, subscriptions and Facebook ‘likes’ distract you away from putting your attentions and affections towards more important things? Are you seeking self-promotion to increase your sense of worth that should only be found in Christ alone?

Do you spend more time in front of the screen than in activities that will draw you closer to Christ, such as reading your bible and praying?

Have you filled your Pinterest boards with wants and fantasy that causes a dissatisfaction with what the Lord has given you (ie. how you want to ideally look, ‘dream home’ wish lists, etc).

Has engaging in the social media world breed a dissatisfaction and lack of contentment in your heart?

What do you spend the majority of the day meditating on?

Have you managed relationships on Facebook status updates, and/or put your all your innermost thoughts online, instead of only sharing these with the Lord or within the sacredness of your marriage relationship?

Most of all: where do the affections of your heart lie?

By all means, acknowledge if you are trying to fill an unmet need to belong, feel significant, stay connected, keep out of boredom, or something else. Run into the Lord to meet that need and let him direct you to the people he has placed in your life to add strength and encouragement to you, and for you to do likewise for them also.

I’m not going to say here what I believe the amount of time, or purpose for visiting these places online should be for you. I can only offer the suggestion that you look to the Lord to fill your heart with a sense of purpose and significance found in Him alone, and encourage you to ask him to reveal any way in you that does not lead you closer to him (Psalm 139:23-24).

For myself, the thought of reducing my internet time to almost nothing sets me in a tail spin: What if I lose all my readers? What if I miss out on important updates amongst my circle of friends? What if removing myself from being in front of my good friends affects my closeness with them? Will I be lonely/unconnected/isolated? Fears. Lots of them. Perhaps putting a mirror in front of myself is exactly what I need.

The Father is waiting there to meet with me. And I’m so ready to sit with him in the quiet and distraction-free place and hear what he has to say. I suspect the fruit from being with him will be eternal, liberating, and life-giving. I’m desperate to be engaged in things of eternal consequence and live a life extraordinary – and to raise children with this hope and desire also.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. – Philippians 4:8

We are spoilt for choice when it comes to encouraging blogs, Facebook Groups, and inspiring Pinterest Boards. I confess I’ve spent many hours amongst these media outlets, finding ways to better improve how I homeschool and run my home, find creative recipes, and how to improve my marriage or parenting strategies. I’m glad for the resources that have helped me become more intentional and informed.

But I have to say, I feel much of it has come at a cost, and unless I curb my time on these outlets to almost nil, I will miss the precious moments of discipleship and memory-making with my children while they are young.

My home is still being run in an orderly fashion, tasks are mostly getting done, but the real stuff that memories are made of and the quiet moments of solitude and special chats with my children seem to have almost disappeared. I see how much I have jumped on the internet to escape for a moment or two (or a longer moment) to fill the desire for what I have considered ‘me time’ but in doing so, have jumbled up my expectations and cultivated an ungodly sense of entitlement for what I feel I should have as a mother and wife.

I hope in getting real like this, I encourage someone else out there to take a hard look at this area of their life. I feel I have no choice but to do this for myself, lest I miss the abundant life that the Father has graciously given me.

I know that many of you will say how these outlets have added value to your lives, and how you’ve received help and connection that has changed your life, and so forth. So let me say that I don’t believe blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest are in themselves bad. I can only attest to what it has done to my own heart, despite having set boundaries and attempted to cull the purpose for which I use these outlets for. I feel I have also allowed the familiarity of these forms of social media, that have become the cultural norm, to cause spiritual ‘amnesia’ whereby the things that truly matter have been largely forgotten. You know the saying, ‘familiarity breeds contempt’. Just because we have an accepted cultural practice, it does not mean it is a healthy one. Living in the midst of it can cause much to go unnoticed.

I believe the lure of social media, and the muddied purpose for which it should be used by a follower of Christ, has largely contributed to a sense of spiritual barenness I have felt, and dulled my senses to where I feel I need some extended time with the Lord at present to clear the static and distraction from my soul. I have a deep unmovable faith, and the desire to know Him and make Him known never leaves my heart. But the vibrancy, clear vision, and quiet peace that I’ve known is lost at this moment in time.

Perhaps your experience is different, but I can only be honest with myself as I seek to become closer to the Lover of my soul.

Can I speak candidly with you, and in the quest to live the abundant life the Lord has given to us, together we can ask ourselves some pointed questions?

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